Need another good reason to cook at home? These days, food costs account for a much smaller percentage of Americans' income than they did generations ago. According to a new study done by the USDA—and explored in depth by NPR—Americans spent an average of 9.9% of their disposable income on food in 2013. Compare this to what your grandparents spent: in 1960, Americans spent 17.5% of their disposable income on food. That's a pretty massive drop, and it's thanks to consistently dropping food prices (adjusted for inflation, naturally).

Of course, it's always good to keep an eye on your budget, and depending on your income, 9.9% can feel like an awful lot. But good home cooked food doesn't have to be expensive. Below, check out everything you can do with one of our favorite low-cost pantry superstars, canned white beans: